Spotlight Trap

CHLOE

“Get on your knees.” Ezra said, his dark eyes piercing into mine as he stared at me.

I got down on my knees immediately. It was crazy. Stupid even. However as an overweight werewolf without her wolf, being with Ezra was a dream come true. He was the school's bad boy and the beta’s son. The handsome dominant wolf that everyone loved and screamed his name.

I didn't hesitate and moved closer.

“ You're so sexy.” Ezra said as his hands wrapped around my neck making me close my eyes as a moan escaped my lips as he pounded into me.

I was so turned on. I could hear myself moaning his name. Panting as I could feel myself almost reaching my climax. I was a virgin but I didn't care. To me, Ezra was worth it. I was just about to reach my climax when a loud crash jolted through me.

My eyes flew open.

I gasped, sitting up in bed, my heart thundering in my chest. It was already morning, the sun Sweat clung to my skin, and my breathing came out in shaky pants.

It was a dream. Just a dream.

I groaned and flopped back onto my pillow, covering my face with both hands. My cheeks burned from embarrassment. Even if no one had seen it, the dream felt real. Ezra’s voice still echoed in my ears, smooth and deep, like velvet over steel. I could still feel the press of his hands around my neck, the heat of his body so close to mine.

“Stupid hormones,” I muttered under my breath.

Why him, though? He didn’t even know I existed. Or if he did, it was only as “The fattie, the huge cow and the elephant in the back row.” I wasn’t even considered part of the pack anymore. My wolf never showed up. Everyone knew it. I was a walking embarrassment in our world.

And yet, there I was, moaning his name in my sleep like some love-struck idiot. I ran my hand through my hair staring at the mirror as I tried to prepare myself for the beginning of a new semester.

I hated my life.

The sound of the door downstairs caught my attention. It was too early for anyone to be knocking at someone's door so I ignored it. The door rang again.

“Chloe!” My stepmother, Jessa yelled from downstairs, her voice sharp like a knife cutting through the air. “Get the door!”

I sighed loudly, dragging the blanket off and swinging my legs over the edge of the bed. My body still felt heavy from the dream. My limbs sore, my chest tight from sleeping on such a wooden small bed. Jessa refused to change my bed. She refused to do anything for me since my father died.

My father remarried almost immediately after my mother died. He had used me as an excuse to marry Jessa and I hated it. After he died, Jessa became more than Cinderella's wicked stepmother. She became my nightmare. I shuffled to the door, barely awake, my oversized T-shirt brushing my knees. As I reached the top of the stairs, Jessa glared at me from the kitchen, a coffee cup in one hand and her phone in the other.

“Took you long enough,” Jessa muttered.

I didn’t bother replying and headed straight to the door. What was the point?

When I opened the door, the morning light spilled in, momentarily blinding me before I could see again. It was Peyton trying to sneak back after she had gone out for a party. I turned back trying to leave when suddenly, Peyton grabbed a handful of my hair making me yell.

“ Move from my path, fattie. I have to get ready for school!” Peyton yelled.

I gasped, stumbling back to the ground as Peyton pushed past me, her heels clicking on the wooden floor like she owned the place.

I rubbed my scalp where Peyton had yanked my hair and got up. Jessa’s eyes met mine and I could see the look of disgust on her face as I headed upstairs. I didn't care. Another day, another humiliation.

After a rushed shower and throwing on the cleanest clothes I could find, I headed to school. My hoodie was baggy enough to hide the stomach rolls I hated, and my jeans barely fit, but they were all I had. Lockhart Academy was like a nightmare to me. Girls and boys walked in together in groups chatting and laughing while I kept my head down. I didn't want to be noticed.

“Whoa, the floor’s shaking!” Someone shouted catching my attention.

Laughter erupted in the hallway as I passed.

My hands tightened around my books as I walked trying to get to my class faster but it wasn't enough.

“ Be careful, cow. You might destroy the school. Maybe that's why she doesn't have a wolf. Her wolf would probably look like a pig.” Another yelled.

Tears filled my eyes but I refused to let it fall. I knew better than to give them the satisfaction of seeing me crying. Picking up my space, I tried to get to my class faster when suddenly, a teacher stopped me.

“Chloe Lunford?” The teacher asked making me stop.

A bad feeling settled in my chest as I saw her. Had I done anything wrong?

“ Yes?” I nodded my head.

“ I got your application for the lead role. I have to say that you have been chosen.”

My heart dropped.

“Lead role?” I croaked, blinking at her like she’d just told me I won the lottery.

The teacher smiled brightly. “Yes, you’ll be playing the female lead in Moonlight Hearts. Rehearsals start today. Come with me.”

I stood frozen for a second, completely confused.

I never applied for anything. I never even spoke in class unless I had to. Someone must have—

Then it hit me.

Peyton.

This had her glittery, manicured fingerprints all over it. A cruel prank. Make the fat, wolf-less girl the lead in front of the whole school and laugh while she choked on stage.

I wanted to say no. To tell the teacher it was all a mistake. But instead, I followed her like some pathetic little sheep, too scared to speak up until we reached the auditorium.

“Everyone, this is Chloe Lunford. The person playing the lead role for our play.”

A wave of whispers and muffled giggles spread through the group. Someone even snorted. My cheeks burned hotter than ever, but I stood still, refusing to break.

Please let this be over quickly.

The teacher checked her clipboard. “Now, where is….Ah, there you are! Ezra, come on up. Time for our leads to meet.”

Ezra?

My heart stopped.

Ezra’s walk was confident, like he had all the time in the world. His black hoodie hung off one shoulder, and his dark eyes scanned the room like he didn’t really care who was there.

Until they landed on me.

He paused.

I forgot how to breathe.

Ezra Kane. My crush. The boy from my dreams. And now, he was going to be my co-lead?

“Are you kidding me?” I whispered under my breathe.

Ezra walked up beside me, tall and calm and completely unreadable. His gaze flicked to me once, then to the teacher.

“You want me to kiss her?” He asked flatly.

Laughter exploded across the auditorium.

My whole body went cold